November 2007

9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion

Safe Kids Philippines will take part in the 9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion which will be held on March 15-18, 2008 in Merida, Mexico.

Five abstracts submitted as entries of Safe Kids Philippines for the upcoming conference were accepted. All of the abstracts are focused and based from the experiences and researches conducted by Safe Kids Philippines on unintentional childhood injuries in the Philippines. Among these are the following: (1) Child Pedestrian Environment Assessments: Initial Results from the Safe Kids Walkability Checks, (2) Pre and Post Tests of Walk This Way: An Intervention for Road Injuries, (3) Parental and Guardian Attitudes Towards Home Safety for Filipino Children, (4) Epidemiologic Transition for Children in the Philippines ( 1960-2002): The Role of Child Injury Deaths, (5) Safe Kids Philippines: Catalyst in Creating a Vehicular and Injury Prevention Program in the Philippines. These abstracts will serve as another contribution of Safe Kids Philippines on the continuing efforts in injury prevention and promotion of safety in the Philippines and worldwide as well.

The 9th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion will give special attention to the processes of globalization and their implications for injuries and violence. The conference will also emphasize the global patterns in Technological and Epidemiological Transitions, proposing international collaboration as a fundamental strategy for the design and promotion of policies for injury prevention and safety promotion.

  

October 2007

International Walk to School Day in the Philippines

IWTSD is celebrated in about 40 countries worldwide. This event advocates for safe pedestrian environment for children and adults alike.

Last October 3, 2007, Safe Kids Philippines once again joined this advocacy and mobilized all elementary students from Grades V and VI in 89 schools nationwide to be part of an Essay Writing contest on the theme “How I can make a difference in keeping roads safe!”. Safe Kids and FedEx Volunteers screened and rated the essays.

Two winners from Cebu, Joanna Marie B. Pido of Lahug Elementary School and Valentina B. Jakosalem of Tisa II Elementary School won first and second place respectively. Michael Christian Baysauli of Batasan Elementary School in Quezon City won the third prize. All three children received their cash prizes in a ceremony held in the Safe Kids Philippines Office and were treated to a tour of Manila.

On that same day, an early morning advocacy walk was held in Pasay City. 400 children from P. Zamora and P. Burgos Elementary Schools walked in a high-density area advocating for safer roads. A drum and lyre band led the parade.

Representatives from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Council for the Welfare of Children, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Health, Department of Transportation and Communication, and other government and non-government organizations joined this advocacy walk.

  

August - September 2007

Home Safety Module Pilot Testing

In response to the need to address accidental childhood injuries in the home, a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity, Safe Kids Philippines (SKP) supported by Johnson and Johnson developed a Home Safety Module designed for children in grades III and IV. This module is the product of research in hospitals and local civil registries, and of the Focus Group Discussions conducted by SKP in three Philippine Cities: Pasay, Paranaque and Olongapo. The research revealed that the home is the second location where unintentional injuries occur next to unintentional injuries on the road,. Common home injuries in children include falls, burns, poisoning, choking, animal bites and drowning.

The Home Safety Module aims to educate and raise the awareness of children and their families on hazards in the home and preventive measures that need to be implemented to minimize these injuries. Children are made to identify risks that can be commonly found in the different parts of the house -- the living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and dining room. They are also asked to suggest solutions.

The module has been piloted in 6 elementary schools in Pasay, Paranaque and Quezon Cities. Principals and teachers, volunteers and the children, appreciated the eye-opening lessons of the module. Coalition volunteers from all cities conducted the classroom teachings.

  

June 2007

The Third National Safe Kids Week
June 18- 22, 2007

The Third National Safe Kids Week, a week-long celebration held on June18 to 22, 2007 in Manila, Olongapo and Cebu Cities.

June 18, 2007 – Recognition of Safe Kids Partners and Volunteers, Bay View Park Hotel Manila

The first day of Safe Kids Week focused on five significant areas.

Held to acknowledge the efforts of Safe Kids’ partners and volunteers, SKP handed out plaques and certificates of recognition for their untiring support. The role of government, non-government organizations, private groups and coalitions was emphasized.

SKP President Dr. Raffy Consunji drew attention to basic home safety tips to address common injuries experienced by children in the home. Focused Group Discussions in three cities resulted in the identification of the most common risk areas children are exposed to in the home.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Safe Kids Philippines and the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatrics Association, represented by their President Dra Jocelyn Quidlat, was signed to highlight the commitment of PAPA to support the work of SKP in the field of unintentional injuries to children.

The Revised Walk This Way Manual and the Safe Kids Philippines Website were presented.

Finally, Open Heart Foundation in Quezon City held its debut as the new coalition partner of Safe Kids Philippines. The Coalition Coordinators of Pasay, Paranaque and Quezon City led the pledge of commitment of the coalitions to pilot the Home Safety Module and continue their work to make kids safe.

June 19, 2007- Safe Kids Philippines Press Conference, Bay View Park Hotel Manila

The conference focused on Childhood Injuries in the Philippines: a 40-years Epidemiologic Review by Dr. Raffy Consunji. Significant in the study is the 700% increase in risks and exposure to injury of children. In 1960, one in 70 were at risk to die of injury. In 2002, risk was one in ten children.

Another major finding was that Department of Health campaigns against disease, eg. measles and malaria, successfully brought down death rates due to these illnesses. Launching a campaign against injury, the third cause of mortality and morbidity, may also significantly reduce child deaths in the future.

The event was a step in prioritizing and advocating for injury prevention in all sectors of Philippine society.

31 members of media attended a press conference on the second day of Safe Kids Week. Media from radio stations DZRH, DZME, DZXL, DZRB, Radyo ng Bayan, Hataw and TV stations IBC 13, RPN 9, ABC 5, NBN 4, RJTV were in attendance. Print media representatives were from Manila Bulletin, Balita, Bagong Tiktik, Remate, People’s Tonight, Business Mirror and Pilipino Star. Program partners from the University of the Philippines, UNICEF, Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association and Open Heart Foundation were also present.

June 20, 2007- Recognition of Partners and Volunteers in Olongapo, Asinan Elementary School Olongapo City

In Asinan Elementary School in Olongapo City, FedEx employees received Certificates of Appreciation from Safe Kids Philippines recognizing their efforts these past three years in putting the child pedestrian safety module into the conciousness of students in all 25 elementary schools in the city. As volunteer teachers and facilitators of the Walk This Way Program, FedEx employees, after working the whole night, directly set off to their assigned schools to teach pedestrian safety. All grades V and VI students were exposed to pedestrian safety lessons.

SKP also acknowledged the assistance and contribution of the Department of Education, the teachers and principals, the local government unit represented by the office of the mayor and vice mayor, and the local Department of Public Works and Highways.

Dr. Raffy Consunji discussed SKP’s home safety messages after which a crosswalk was painted in front of the school entrance to cap the event in Olongapo.

June 22, 2007- Recognition of Partners and Volunteers in Cebu City

The volunteers of the Cebu City Task Force for Street Children, the Philippine College of Surgeons and the local government were recognized during the culminating activity of National Safe Kids Week in Cebu City. Mrs. Margot Osmena, First Lady of Cebu City, graced the occasion and reiterated her support for Safe Kids Philippines.

Messages on home and road safety as well as the findings of the 40 year review of injury in the Philippines were discussed. Finally, new beneficiary schools, Tisa I and II, Basak Community, Pardo and Bagong Lipunan Elementary Schools were welcomed as Safe Kids Philippines beneficiaries in Cebu City.

  

May 2007

The Child Road Safety Advocate Award
On the 37th National Road Safety Conference
May 21-23, 2007
Tagbilaran, Bohol

 

The Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI), held the 37th National Road Safety Convention on May 21 to 23, 2007, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol Province.  SOPI is a non-govermental organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting public health. Founded in 1959, the primary focus of SOPI is preventing deaths and injuries that occur in the workplace, homes, communities and roads.

SKPis a member of the Technical Working Committee for the 37th National Road Safety Convention and was given the task to conduct a search for the Child Road Safety Advocate Award.  SKP received a plaque of appreciation for its efforts in searching for this young advocate.

The award was given to Ms. Shay Omega, a young student from Lahug Elementary School in Cebu City for her involvement in projects and activities on road safety, practiced good behavior while on the road, and acted as a model road user to other young people.  The winner was transported to Bohol to receive her award.

  

April 2007 -  UN Global Road Safety Week Report

1st United Nations Global Road Safety Week
Safe Kids Philippines Report

 

The First United Nations Global Road Safety Week was celebrated with three major activities for the period April 18 to 23, 2007:  1) an SKP exhibit in the Transport Show 2007, 2) a motorcade and 3) a program launch.

Exhibit: April 18 to 22, 2007 -  Mega Trade B, Mega Mall, Pasig City

Safe Kids Philippines (SKP) under the patronage of Tuason Racing School (TRS) joined in the Transport Show 2007 in Mega Mall, Ortigas on April 18 to 22, 2007.  Exhibitors were well-known groups in the motor industry.  Highlighting road safety for children, the SKP exhibit was manned by volunteers from the Pasay and Parañaque Coalitions for five days.

SKP volunteers distributed flyers, safety devices and SKP pins to children, especially to those 14 years old and below.  Games, such as questions and answers, were prepared for the kids, who received prizes after the activities.  FedEx also provided gifts and balloons as décor and giveaways. 

Aside from reaching more than 512 children within these five days, SKP was also able to network with other organizations that showed interest in supporting SKP in its work.

A press conference held by TRS was held in a nearby restaurant where SKP was represented by Dr. Raffy Consunji, SKP President and Marte A. Perez, Executive Director.   The conference focused on the partnerships and products of TRS. These partners included SKP, Nokia, trapik.com, an insurance company and a car company.   It was a very well-attended event.

Motorcade: April 23, 2006

In April 23, 2007, a motorcade to call attention to the prevention of road traffic injuries passed through a route of seven kilometers, from the Coastal Mall, Parañaque City, through Pasay City to Clamshell 2, Intramuros, Manila.  

The participants came  from the Department of Health (DOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group Mobile Patrol, UNICEF, Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Transportation & Communication (DOTC), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the Motorcycle Riders Association, Local Government Units from the three cities, private sector participants: Petron and Shell Filipinas and  the Tuason Racing School, the  transport groups, Safe Kids Philippines’ staff and volunteers, teachers and coordinators coming from Pasay, Parañaque and Olongapo Coalitions as well as FedEx volunteers. More than 60 vehicles joined the motorcade including 2 FedEx vans which accompanied the SKP contingent. 

The activity was spearheaded by the DOH with support coming from the different sectoral partners including SKP.  SKP took a major role in organizing the activity and provided logistics -- vehicles, participants, performers for the program, food for its participants and participation in all the activities of the event. 

The activity strengthened the ties among SKP, DOH, DPWH, DOTC and its partners in its advocacy for child safety. A reinforced solid bond among SKP’s government & non-government partners was established for work in the prevention of road traffic accidents.

Global Road Safety Week Launch: April 23, 2007

Significant in the launch of Global Road Safety Week was the presence of three cabinet secretaries:, Dr. Francisco Duque (DOH),, Engr. Manuel Bonoan (DPWH) and Hon. Leandro Mendoza (DOTC), in an event acknowledging the issue of road traffic injuries.  Recognizing a common challenge and finding solutions through the concerted efforts of their agencies, the event brought to fore the need for everyone to be proactive in addressing the problem of keeping Philippine roads safe.  It was also a chance for the road safety committee, to align its activities with international agencies WHO & UNICEF.

The program was graced by Usec. Ethelyn P. Nieto, Undersecretary of the DOH who gave the Welcome Remarks and Dr. Jean Marc Olivé of WHO.  The Wreath Laying Ceremony was set off by Dr. Nicolas Alipui of UNICEF and a Candle Lighting Ceremony by Dr. Rafael Consunji, SKP President and Dr. Marissa Ricardo of UNICEF together with Child Advocates JB “Tolits” Forbes and Bea of Starstruck Kids.  Messages from the Secretaries of the DOH, DPWH and DOTC followed. The intermission numbers were performed by the winners of the Jingle Writing & Singing Contest of SKP from the coalitions of Pasay, Parañaque, and Olongapo.

Other agencies in attendance were representatives from the Road Board, Department of Education, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Occupational Health and Safety Center-DOLE, Philippine National Police-Traffic Management Group (PNP-TMG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), UP- National Center for Transportation Studies (UP), Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), Safety Organization of the Philippines (SOPI), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation (Shell), Petron Corporation (Petron), Ford Group Philippines, Good Year Philippines, 3M Philippines, FedEx Express, Tuason Racing School, Transport  Group (Taxi, buses, jeepney groups), Toyota Motor Philippines, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Tourism and representatives from media.

The Road Safety Action Plan, a document outlining the Philippine Government’s short and long-term policies and plans, enumerating the stakeholders responsible for activities and attaching corresponding budgets to the activities, was presented by Usec. Anneli Lontoc, of the DOTC.

The launch of the Drivers Manual, a booklet for public utility vehicle drivers containing health and safety tips, hazards incurred while driving, driving laws, accidents and first aid and other safety tips, was also presented by Director Yolanda E. Oliveros in the same manner.

A pledge of commitment was initiated by Engr. Alberto Suansing of the Transport Group and assisted by the Ford R.I.D.E. Youth Council.  DOH Secretary Francisco Duque was the keynote speaker for the event; he reiterated the importance of road safety in the country and the critical role of drivers in this joint endeavor.

An exhibition of pictures of different activities on road safety by SKP coalitions was set up in the Clamshell.  Flyers containing pedestrian safety tips were also distributed.   

SKP takes pride in being recognized as a leader in the work towards road safety in the Philippines.  SKP initiatives are being emulated and adapted by Pasay City communities with initiatives such as pedestrian safety programs for day care centers.